Western Governors University (WGU) announced today the appointment Rick Brown, M. Ed., to the Georgia Nurses Foundation (GNF) Board of Trustees. Brown serves as senior partner success manager furthering WGU’s commitment to expand access to higher education through online, competency-based degree programs.

The Georgia Nurses Foundation is the charitable and philanthropic arm of the Georgia Nurses Association (GNA), supporting the association’s role to foster the welfare and well-being of nurses, and promote and advance the nursing profession, thereby enhancing the health of the public. The GNF Board is comprised of healthcare professionals who are eligible to serve two, two-year terms. Programs by the Foundation include the Nurse License Plate Program, the Georgia Nursing Hall of Fame™, the Honor a Nurse Program, the GNF Scholarship Program, and the GNA Peer Assistance Program.

WGU holds the distinction as a 2021-2026 Center of Excellence in Nursing Education by the National League for Nursing, and its bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing programs hold pre-accreditation status from the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation.

Brown says his work with hospital systems, nursing organizations and the Technical College System of Georgia to address the state’s nursing shortage and workforce development needs will dovetail with the Foundation’s mission.

“My appointment to the Georgia Nurses Foundation Board of Trustees will allow me another powerful pathway to provide educational opportunities to Georgia’s nursing community,” said Brown. “I’m passionate about supporting them to reach their career goals, as well as develop the next generation of nurses.”

Brown was born and raised in Southampton, Long Island, N.Y. While pursuing his college degrees he also made his mark on the basketball court. At Rockhurst College he was on an Allstar basketball team traveling to South and Central America competing in tournaments and conducting clinics. Brown became a small college All American and played professional basketball for Ponce Leones in the Puerto Rican Pro League. He received a bachelor's degree in secondary education at Rockhurst, and a master’s degree in education and instructional technology from American Intercontinental University. Brown is married to Velvet Brown, who also works with WGU, and they reside in Atlanta. The couple has three children, three grandchildren and a great granddaughter.